Speck Canvas Sport

Speck’s Canvas Sport is a very stylish case for the iPod (with video) inspired by the very classic Converse All-Star shoes (though Speck doesn’t openly say so). The case covers the front and back of your iPod in thick canvas, while the sides are covered in thick, white rubber very similar to sneaker soles — including textured corners and smooth, striped sides. There’s even a rubber “toe cover” at the bottom of the iPod.

Three colors of canvas are available: white, black, and pink. Only one size is available, but a thin, foam-rubber pad is included for use with the thinner 30GB iPod. Although this pad works well, it means that the case is the same size with the 30GB iPod as it is with the thicker 60GB model.

The front of the case leaves your iPod’s Click Wheel exposed for easy access but protects the screen with a thin layer of flexible plastic. (The plastic actually hovers over the screen, instead of resting on it, so you don’t get bubbles or “waves” as you do with many other similar coverings.) The back of the case features a canvas-covered metal belt clip.

For fans of Converse All-Stars, there can be no better case. For everyone else, the Canvas Sport is a resilient, stylish, protective case with the only drawback being its bulk, particularly when used with 30 GB iPods. –Derik DeLong